I'm buying my first Camera and I need help deciding.

Jing

Jing

Active member
I have a $5000 limit, maybe a tinyyy bit over, on what I can get and i'd like to be able to get a tripod and maybe a boom mic if possible, tripod most of all though. I've looked around sooo much. I think P2 cards would be far too expensive for me. SD cards sound awesome. Not to fond of sticking to DV tapes. I had my eye on the Canon XH-A1s until i saw all the wonders of digital media lol. I love Canon, but they are lagging it now... I'm ok with Panasonic but P2 cards are just too expensive. I've heard from so many people "don't get Sony". And haven't heard much about anything JVC.
So if anyone has any recomendations for me, they would ALL be GREATLY appreciated!!
Also, does anyone know of a website that has a directory of cameras that I can sit and look through? with avg. prices?

Thanks!!
Dak Washbrook
dak@dakfilms.org
 
I personally own the cannon XHA1, and it has served me well, it is well built and works great in low light. I have used the Panasonic HVX 200 many times it is also a great camera, has a very nice look to it.

I think though we need to know a little more of your needs, what look do you want out of the camera? Do you want to achieve a film look? Or are you going for something else.

I would also suggest checking out some of the new DSLR cameras with full HD video options, then you have interchangeable lenses, and can get great DOF.
 
GrahamRobbins said:
I personally own the cannon XHA1, and it has served me well, it is well built and works great in low light. I have used the Panasonic HVX 200 many times it is also a great camera, has a very nice look to it.

I think though we need to know a little more of your needs, what look do you want out of the camera? Do you want to achieve a film look? Or are you going for something else.

I would also suggest checking out some of the new DSLR cameras with full HD video options, then you have interchangeable lenses, and can get great DOF.
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thank you for responding! =D i am looking to achieve the "film look". and yeah, ive worked with the Canon XH-A1 a lot, since 3 of my friends and my school own some lol, and I love it. Though, i think that going digital would serve to be much better and lighter on my pocket over a period of time.
 
you can't get any better than the XH-A1, if you're looking to go "lighter on your pocket"...it's a fabulous camera vs/price. closest thing would be the Panny HMC-150...roughly same price as the Canon, but records AVCHD to cheap cards...it lacks in the kind of image control that the canon has, and feels kind of plastic-like and cheap (my opinion), but it's a formitable camera for sure! just keep plugging away on research...

Chris
xh-a1 footage here: www.vimeo.com/chrislight
 
So should I go XH-A1s and just save up at a later time for a different camera? I guess it would be good for a first camera =/
and I also always thought Panasonic cameras had that plasticy look to them. I never like how the onboard mic looked =/
 
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Hey Jing..Im also planning to get a new camera soon and i guess the biggest question here is price vs your needs!I personally think i should get the panasonic hvx 200 as its hd but still has sd.The advantage here is that it uses both dv and p2 cards.The only draw back is that you can only record hd on the p2 card and sd on dv.So my plan is to get that camera so that i can continue shooting in sd as i wait for p2 cards to become more affordable or til i get more money then i can advance to hd without buying a new camera.Its pictures are really on point plus you could always buy a 35mm lense later for the hvx 200.thats an even sharper video 4 u.Hope that helps
 
The panasonic hmc150 would be a great choice and I assure it is well built. It has the same picture quality as the hvx and the same chipset of the hpx170. The only thing it doesnt have compared to the hvx/hpx is the extra framerates. However it gives you true 24p and 60p unlike the canon. They are both great cams but if you want to go tapeless then the HMC is def the way to go. Many people feel (around here) that it is the best bang for your buck in the 3k class.
 
I picked up a Sony EX1 during the $500 cash back offer for $5600. I use the 8G SXS for overcranking and 16G Transend SDHC's for everything else. We are a big Sony facility and I have not had any problems with any of their equipment on the broadcast level.
 
Everyone has a favourite as you can see..I think the best suggestion would be to stick to the panasonic line..They're great cameras
 
Dafilman21 said:
The panasonic hmc150 would be a great choice and I assure it is well built. It has the same picture quality as the hvx and the same chipset of the hpx170. The only thing it doesnt have compared to the hvx/hpx is the extra framerates. However it gives you true 24p and 60p unlike the canon. They are both great cams but if you want to go tapeless then the HMC is def the way to go. Many people feel (around here) that it is the best bang for your buck in the 3k class.
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hmm, that camera is less expensive as the XH-A1s and has full HD. i'll look into that camera. Thank You!
 
ignoring what they record onto. what is a better camera? Canon XH-A1s or Panasonic AG-HMC150??

I've been comparing specs and i see a lot of things that the HMC150 lacks, that the Canon makes up for. Other than the HMC150 recording in full HD up to 21 Mbps bit rate, what else does it have over the XH-A1s?

Notice I am talking about the "XH-A1s" and not the "XH-A1"

Thanks =]

Another reason I'm having such a hard time choosing between those two is because, I have a lot of HDV recorded tapes I need to import and if I get the HMC150, I won't be able to import them. =[
 
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10s said:
Lumix GH-1 available soon. You'll get two cameras in one, still & motion.
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As an A1 owner I would say these days I personally would go with the GH-1 when it launches. Full HD, interchangeable lenses for shallow DOF, I plan to pick one up as well. I will say also that going tapeless can be helpful but it is also costly, and you need to make sure you have a need for it.

hope that helps,

Graham Robbins
 
Dafilman21 said:
However it gives you true 24p and 60p unlike the canon.
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this is absolutely NOT true. the 24p part anyway...

Canon's 24f is proprietary technology, hence "f" instead of "p"...i dare you or anyone to tell the difference. And i say this not as the Canon fan that I am, but as a fact. Don't let this sway you. Though, the 60p weighs in Panasonics favor, as it offers 60fps. The Canon does not. So, your shooting preferences will help you in this decision.

Chris
www.vimeo.com/chrislight
Canon XH-A1 24f footage
 
I considered the HMC150 but I went over to Samy's Camera, my first time there and it was amazing lol, and got the Mother's Day special on a Canon XH-A1s, $3280
I bought it, but won't have it until June 19th. Can't wait!

Thanks for all of your help!
 
Why do you keep mentioning digital camera? Are you asking yourself if you want to film on Film or digital? Because film costs a lot of money. I suggest you go with the Canon XH A1.
 
Max Lamare said:
Why do you keep mentioning digital camera? Are you asking yourself if you want to film on Film or digital? Because film costs a lot of money. I suggest you go with the Canon XH A1.
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what???

no i was saying miniDV tape or digital lol
 
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